Veteran Cook Islands bowler Teokotai Jim says he was honored to perform for his country at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow marks the 60-year-old’s fifth appearance at the Games, the most of any athlete in the Cook Islands.
Jim competes with his daughter Emily in a game of bowls on the lawn that started several hours early before Thursday’s opening ceremony.
“My family has always been the focus of my turf bowl journey, and to be here to compete with my daughter is an honor,” she said.
Teokotai began its journey in 1998 when it needed to gather everyone who was interested in the sport before putting together a team.
Some of her achievements include the 2019 National Singles where she finished in the top four and was the winner in the doubles, the 2020 National Triple (3) winner and the runner up in the Quadruple (4).
She was runner-up in the 2021 National Singles, top 4 in pairs, back-to-back winner in 3s and runner-up again in 4s.
Teokotai Jim has competed in five different Commonwealth Games for the Cook Islands.()
She is also a Pacific Games gold medalist, finishing first ahead of PNG in the women’s singles and winning bronze in the women’s pairs during the 2015 South Pacific Games in Port Moresby, PNG.
She first appeared at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, then in Glasgow in 2014, then the Gold Coast in 2018 and Birmingham in 2022, where she competed alongside her two daughters.
“It’s great to be here at the Games and I thank the Cook Islands for giving me the opportunity to represent them again,” she said.
“When I step on the rink, I know I am leading my team and representing my family back home in the Cook Islands.”